Safety Hammerless, Need expert help, identify

[pred]

I had been eyeing this old Smith Safety Hammerless for a couple of weeks, and it didnt sell, I went to the shop today just to look at it again, and it wasent there, The shop owner pulled the grips to put on another gun which sold immediately, So I asked for the $ without the grips.
Anyway I bought it, There will be 3 posts here for the 3 pics,

The ser # is 52502 with a 3 1/4 barrel, Mechanically the old gun is great, Last pat. date on barrel top appears to be June 5 '90
I asked the shop owner if he thought if I could run a few rounds through it, He thought so, So we dug out a box of S&W long and short to see what one fit, Well neather, They both fell through the bores, It is a 38 S&W cartridge,.
Please can someone tell more about this old safety Hammerless.
Thank you for any info you may have!!!!!!
And what would you think if I sent it out to have it renickeled?
Peter.

As you see the Nickle has alot to be desired, But there is NO rust or pitting, Would the renickle hurt the value?
PB
Forgot to add, cost me 106.00 out the door.

 

[pred]

I had been eyeing this old Smith Safety Hammerless for a couple of weeks, and it didnt sell, I went to the shop today just to look at it again, and it wasent there, The shop owner pulled the grips to put on another gun which sold immediately, So I asked for the $ without the grips.
Anyway I bought it, There will be 3 posts here for the 3 pics,

The ser # is 52502 with a 3 1/4 barrel, Mechanically the old gun is great, Last pat. date on barrel top appears to be June 5 '90
I asked the shop owner if he thought if I could run a few rounds through it, He thought so, So we dug out a box of S&W long and short to see what one fit, Well neather, They both fell through the bores, It is a 38 S&W cartridge,.
Please can someone tell more about this old safety Hammerless.
Thank you for any info you may have!!!!!!
And what would you think if I sent it out to have it renickeled?
Peter.

As you see the Nickle has alot to be desired, But there is NO rust or pitting, Would the renickle hurt the value?
PB
Forgot to add, cost me 106.00 out the door.

 

[cflier]

Pred,
That was a good buy. It is a 3rd model 38 Safety Hammerless, shipped probably around 1891, 1892.
You can find grips for it on ebay, if you use that site, for from $40 to $60. Sometimes it takes a week or two for them to show up. You don't have to limit yourself to 38 Safety Hammerless grips as every top break S&W 38 has the same size frame. The early I Frame 32 Hand Ejectors also are the same size and will fit fine. I have a stash of probaly a couple dozen sets of them that I have picked up over the years so they are out there.

You will not increase the value of your gun by having it renickeled. In fact, it might go down in resale value. If it pleases you, then go for it, it's your gun. I would wait though and try to clean it up. Get some flitz polish and a soft cloth and spend a half hour polishing it and then wax it. You would be surprised how much that can help a basically clean old nickel finish. You are only out the cost of the polish and wax and may like it a lot. If you still aren't satisfyed you can always have it renickeled later. Most of us who have been gathering them for awhile wouldn't ever do that with our guns, but this one is yours.
cflier

 

[pred]

Great info ! ! ! A+
I will look on ebay,
CAN I SHOOT IT ? ? ? ? ???
Peter

 

[Rob Spence]

Hi! Thanks for pictures. I would check the timing and lockup if you haven't already. I've owned several "Safetys" and other "Oldies" and after a checkup fired them. The current .38 S&W's will really make these bark. Much lighter loads would be recommended. Good Luck!
RS

 

[MADISON]

The old 1889 Lemon Squeezer is what I leared to shoot with.
Grips for your gun may be hard/IMPOSSIBLE to find. I noticed in this years, 2008 S&W catalog that lists a model 40. I do not know if the grips woould fit but it would be worth a phone call.

 

[mm6mm6]

I would also suggest investing the $30 it cost to get an authenticating, historical letter from S&W historian Roy Jinks. You can find the link on S&W's website. It is fascinating to find out exactly when your gun was made and where it was shipped.

 

[Alk8944]

pred,

Go here for very nice reproduction stocks. Be sure to order the scres & escutcheons with it.


http://www.gungrip.com/detail_G26__22__grips.html or here;


http://vintagegungrips.net/ao-s7.html